Telescoping lining and support structure and method for lining tunnels and shafts

ABSTRACT

A novel telescoping lining and support structure and method for lining tunnels and shafts is provided in which a plurality of first chordal segments are drawn into a tunnel or shaft hole in a reduced diameter state of compression, expanded diametrically one after another in place in said tunnel or shaft and keyed in the expanded state by a second smaller chordal segment which completes an annular ring segment with the first chordal segment in place.

Unlted States Patent [1 1 [111 3,768,267

Chlumecky Oct. 30, 1973 [54] TELESCOPING LlNlNG AND SUPPORT 1,819,4268/1931 Ladd 61/45 STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR LINING 2,841,297 7/1958Washabaugh 61/45 X TUNNELS AND SHAFTS Inventor: Nicholas Chlumecky,Poland, Ohio Commercial Shearing & Stamping- Company, Youngstown, OhioFiled: Oct. 13, 1971' Appl. No.:.l88,964

Related [1.8. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 101,875, Dec. 28,1970.

Assignee:

US. Cl. 61/45, 61/84 Int. Cl E2ld 1l/05, E21d 11/08 Field of Search61/45, 84, 85, 16

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/193] Finkbeiner 61/16 X PrimaryExaminer-Jacob Shapiro Attorney-Buell et a].

[57] ABSTRACT A novel telescoping lining and support structure andmethod for lining tunnels and shafts is provided in which a plurality offirst chordal segments are drawn into a tunnel or shaft hole in areduced diameter state of compression, expanded diametrically one afteranother in place in said tunnel or shaft and keyed in the expanded stateby a second smaller chordal segment which completes an annular ringsegment with the first chordal segment in place.

4 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENIEDum 30 I915 SHEET 10F 3PATENTEDBBIBO 97s 3.768.267

SHEET 3 or 3 Fig.|7.

1 TELESCOPING LINING AND SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR LINING TUNNELSAND SHAFTS This invention relates to a telescoping lining and supportstructure and method for lining tunnels and shafts and particularly to amuch improved method of supporting and lining tunnels and shafts whichare made by mining and tunneling methods.

Underground tunnels and shafts, such as vehicular tunnels, underwatertubes, sewer and pollutant control tunnels, subways and similarstructures must be provided with a supporting lining. The quicker thetunnel can be lined and completed for the support of surrounding earthand exclusion of water, the better. One method of accomplishing thisuses concrete pipe which is jacked with heavy pressure into the earth bymeans of substantial hydraulic jacks which must abut against a verystrong base or wall which is usually located in a shaft because suchjacking would be difficult if the pipe has to be pushed from a structureon a flat surface. As the pipe is pushed ahead, earth is excavated atthe front end of the tunnel ahead of the pipe which is then moved ahead.Besides the difficulty of requiring heavy jacking equipment, the pipewhich is being jacked ahead must be lubricated on the outside usually bydrilling holes from the surface and by injecting a mixture of water andbentonite. Drilling of the injection holes is costly because it must bedone at relatively close intervals and because it interferes often withutilities and right of way on surface in congested city locations.Another disadvantage of the present method of pipe jacking is that itrequires specially favorable conditions in relation to the earth throughwhich the pipe is to be jacked. If the tunnel has to be driven throughearth which contains many boulders or rock, or if the earth settlesforcefully on the jacked pipe, due to labor delays or other factors suchas insufficient bentonite lubrication, any further tunneling by pipejacking becomes impossible and tunneling can then only proceed bymethods other than pipe jacking. Another problem is that at times due tothe heavy jacking load, pipe components break up and require theirremoval with costly repair. While pipe jacking is successful in suitablelocations in earth, it is limited in range since the jacking thrust canmove but a limited lineal footageof pipe. When load or drag, despitelubrication of the outside wall of the pipe, increases to a point wherethe pipe may be damaged by the pressure applied, the jacking must bediscontinued. Furthermore, most accurate aligning of the jacked pipemust be observed and maintained because misalignment will cause completeseizure and stoppage of the pipe being jacked making any further tunneladvance imposible with this method. Another problem is the. handling ofpower cables, ventilation ducts and other utilities which have to becarried forward to the working face of the tunnel. The pipe elementswhich are jacked into the earth have to be placed against the lastelement which was pushed in. In order to join the next pipe element, allabove utility lines and often also. the track for cars which haul outthe excavated earth have to be disconnected and after placing the pipeelement all these utilities have to be reconnected before the tunneladvance can be resumed. In summary, the present art of pipe jacking intunneling is subject to many hazards, laborious efforts, high costs andconsiderable limitationsf pend on specially favorable earth formationsthrough which the tunnel is mined and which is not affected by workstoppages or other delays which cause seizure of a moving lining. Thepresent tunnel lining can be telescoped towards the tunnel face withoutexerting excessive and damaging pressures on lining components as theyare moved ahead. Moreover the present invention provides a lining whichdoes not require a large shaft from which the tunnel can be started. Thelining of the present invention can be moved into the tunnel without aneed to disconnect and reconnect utility lines, ventilation pipes andtrack.

The present invention provides a method of lining a tunnel in which aplurality of first or primary chordal segments are drawn into a tunnelin the compressed state, expanded one after another in place and keyedby a smaller second chordal segment to form an annular segment in place.Preferably the segments are provided with grout holes through whichgrout is pumped to fill the void behind the segments. The segments aremoved into place by drawing with a cable, by means of hydrauliccylinders or by other equivalent means. The segments may be made of anystrong elastic material such as steel, reinforced plastic, reinforcedconcrete or the like material. The first chordal segments preferablyform an included angle greater than 230.

In the foregoing general description I have set out certain objects,advantages and purposes of my invention. Other advantages and purposesof this invention will be described hereafter and will become apparentto those who are skilled in the art of tunneling when considering thefollowing description with accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a tunnel embodying my methodfor telescopinga lining into a tunnel;

FIG. 2 shows the cross-section of the tunnel on the line 11-11 showingthe manner in which the lining is telescoped and where the lining uponexpansion and completion consists of three pieces per ring;

FIG. 3'shows an elevational view of the tunnel track with support framefor carrying utility lines;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of a telescoping lining member of FIG.1 in compressed condition for insertion in a tunnel; taken on line IV-IVof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a second embodiment of telescopinglining where the track is contained by the telescoping lining and whereeach ring consists of two pieces;

FIG. 6 shows a fragmentary cross-section of a third embodiment of liningaccording to my invention;

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of trapezoidal shaped bottom segments of tunnellining with square joints used in the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a fragmentary cross-section of trapezoidal shaped bottomsegments upon assembly with joints which have a tongue and grooveconfiguration;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the trapezoidal shaped bottom segments of theembodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a spline joint which could be usedinstead of other joint configurations of this invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section of another type of joint assembly ofthis invention;

FIG. 12 depicts a cross-section of a joint with asymmetrical keeper andseal of this invention;

FIG. 13 shows a cross-section of a tongue and groove joint of thisinvention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-section of a joint with an I-I-section as astabilizer to keep edges in line;

FIG. 15 shows an assembly with square edge with bolt and washer assemblyto keep edges of joints in exact alignment;

FIG. 16 shows tongue-and-groove joint with holes for temporary use todraw longitudinal or vertical joints together;

FIG. 17 is another embodiment of my invention shown in end elevation;and

FIG. 18 is still another embodiment of my invention in end elevation.

Referring to FIG. 1, I have shown a general arrangement of thetelescoping tunnel lining installation showing an arcuate first chordalor primary segment 10 being lowered by crane 11 into vertical shaft 12in front of horizontal shaft 13. Segment 10 is joined to other segments10 already inserted within assembled lining 14 by drawing togethertemporarily lower ends 15 with cable or chain 16 as shown by FIG. 4showing crosssection of segment being lowered into shaft 12. Oncesegment 10 is inserted within tunnel lining 14 temporary cable 16 isremoved. Clamp 17 is then fastened to the trailing edge of segment 10.Clamps 17 are attached to cables 18 which run over sheave 19 which ismounted on shield 20. Cables 18 run out inside tunnel lining 14 tosheaves 21 and double drum winch 22. As the installation of tunnellining 14 proceeds, segments 10 are pulled ahead within shield andexpanded and assembled with second segments 23 and 24 which complete thebottom of tunnel lining 14. Power lines 25 are carried by frames 26.Frames 26 are bolted to track 27. In shaft 12, power lines 25 run undertrack 27 so that they will not interfere with the lowering and insertionof segment 10 within tunnel lining 14. Frames 26 can then be used alsoto carry ventilation pipe 28 to the working face 29 of the tunnel.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the telescoping lining arrangement ofFIG. 1 and particularly the manner in which the various elements of theinvention are related to each other. It shows how segment 10 which mayconsist of strong elastic material such as steel, reinforced plastic orreinforced concrete is located and held confined within upper expandedlining segment 10 and bottom lining segments 23 and 24. It shows alsohow frame 26 which carries power lines 25 as well as piping 30 andventilation line 28 is fastened to track 27. Segments are furnished withgrout holes 31 to fill the void 1 between limits of tunnel excavation 32with grout 33.

Telescoping segments 10 are pulled into tunnel by clamp 17 which isattached to winch cables 18 that run over sheave 19 which is attached totunnel shield.

In FIG. 5 I have illustrated a method of telescoping segments 100 withmaximum circumference into completed tunnel lining 101 such that onlyone key segment 102 is required upon expansion of segment to thediameter of tunnel lining 101. For this method, track 103 has to rest onsegment 100. This method of telescoping is suitable for relatively smalldiameter tunnels where the weight of muck car 104 is not excessive.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7 I show a plan view of parallelogram shapedsegment and trapezoidal shape segment 111 suitably shaped forinstallation of trapezoidal segment 112 so that as the segments 110 and111 are slid longitudinally, they will require a minimum of space aheadof completed portions of the lining. FIG. 6 shows how the assembledsegments are arranged as related to a fragmentary view of the liningcross-section.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9 I show a plan view of the parallelogramsegments 121 and two trapezoidal segments 122 with tongue-and-grooveshaped joint 123 to assure proper alignment of segments through theirjoints. FIG. 8 shows a fragmentary cross-section of telescoping segmentin relation to assembled lining 124.

FIG. 10 to FIG. 16 describe various joints which could be suitable foruse with the telescoping lining 130. FIG. 10 is a spline joint withspline 131 inserted in grooves 132. For sealing groove 132 could befilled with sealant material 133 which forms a bond between spline 131and lining 130.

FIG. 15 shows square joints 151 held in alignment during assembly bymeans of temporary bolts 152 and washers 153.

FIG. 16 shows a fragmentary plan view of a tongueand-groove joint beforeit is drawn together. As a means of drawing the joint together, holes161 are drilled through lining 162. Dowels (not shown) are then insertedtemporarily in hole 161 to draw the joint together with a clamp (notshown).

FIGS. 10 to 16 show also locations of sealing or bonding material 164which may consist of epoxy or other suitable compounds.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show other embodiments in which a segment 200 is passedthrough the lined tunnel and expanded and fastened to an overlappingbottom member 201 by bolts 202 or alternatively by bottom segments 203and splice plate 204.

In the foregoing specification I have set out certain preferredembodiments of my invention; however, it will be understood that thisinvention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. A tunnel lining segment comprising a primary arcuate segment offinite length having an included angle of at least 230 but less than 360and formed of a material having limited elastic properties such that thesegment can be diametrically compressed a sufficient amount to permitits passage through a like segment diametrically uncompressed and atleast one secondary segment adapted to engage the primary segment at itsends and forming with said primary segment an included angle of 360.

2. A tunnel lining segment as claimed in claim 1 made of steel.

3. A tunnel lining segment as claimed in claim 1 made of reinforcedplastic.

4. A tunnel lining segment as claimed in claim 1 made of reinforcedconcrete.

1. A tunnel lining segment comprising a primary arcuate segment offinite length having an included angle of at least 230* but less than360* and formed of a material having limited elastic properties suchthat the segment can be diametrically compressed a sufficient amount topermit its passage through a like segment diametrically uncompressed andat least one secondary segment adapted to engage the primary segment atits ends and forming with said primary segment an included angle of360*.
 2. A tunnel lining segment as claimed in claim 1 made of steel. 3.A tunnel lining segment as claimed in claim 1 made of reinforcedplastic.
 4. A tunnel lining segment as claimed in claim 1 made ofreinforced concrete.